Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group (the largest owner and operator of IKEA stores in 31 countries) acquires Made4net, a leading US-based supply chain software solution provider to improve its order fulfilment landscape. This will increase the capacity needed for a successful end-to-end customer experience, making it likely the largest implementation of a Warehouse Management Solution (WMS) in the world.
As part of its business development investments portfolio and overall retail transformation, Ingka Group will integrate Made4net’s fulfilment operations system to improve the omnichannel experience for customers and co-workers in stores.
Backed by 80 years of innovation and entrepreneurship, the company is constantly looking for better ways to scale digital solutions and become more accessible, affordable and sustainable to the many. Made4net provides cloud-based supply chain execution and warehouse management solutions that improves speed and efficiency across the value chain. The increase in online usage, and changes in consumer behaviour during the last few years have led to an unprecedented demand for warehouse and fulfilment solutions within the retail sector.
"We are constantly looking to improve our business to better meet the needs of our customers. As part of that, we are implementing a variety of digital solutions that will secure the speed and agility required to support the new omnichannel reality we operate in."– Wim Blaauw, Chief Digital Officer (CDO), for Ingka Group
According to Tolga Öncu, Head of Retail, Ingka Group: “Our business currently requires a better fulfilment operations system with more accurate data that better supports order handling for our customers. Our goal is to become leaders of life at home, serving more people in an omnichannel reality, whenever and however customers choose to meet us.”
Ingka Group identified Made4net’s solution as highly innovative and scalable, to help the company deliver its long-term vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people.
"By incorporating Made4net’s state-of-the-art solution, we will strengthen the fulfilment operations system across all IKEA’s stores. We expect to deliver faster, more accurate order fulfilment solutions and improved supply chain efficiencies, meeting both the needs of IKEA customers and co-workers."– Duff Davidson, CEO for Made4net
Ingka Investments has acquired 100% of Made4net, which will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary, based in New Jersey, U.S, and serve its existing customer base. In addition, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE served as financial advisor to Ingka Investments B.V. in connection with the transaction.
About Ingka Group
With IKEA retail operations in 31 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents about 90% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Read more on ingka.com.
About Made4net
Made4net is a leading global provider of best-in-class, cloud-based supply chain execution and warehouse management solutions for organizations of all sizes to improve the speed and efficiency of their supply chain. The company’s end-to-end SCExpert™ platform offers a robust WMS solution that enables real-time inventory visibility, labor management, and equipment productivity with performance analytics that drive faster, more accurate order fulfilment and improved supply chain efficiency. In addition to the best-of-breed WMS, the platform offers integrated yard management, dynamic route management, proof of delivery and warehouse automation solutions that deliver a true supply chain convergence. Made4net is proud to be recognized by analysts and industry experts as a global leader in warehouse management software, including the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems.
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